Sanae Takaichi – Page 2 – Author Carlo Carrasco

Japan Makes Moves To Handle Overtourism By 2030

February 8, 2026February 3, 2026carlocarrasco

With an all-time high of 42.7 million foreign tourists counted in 2025, Japan is clearly having a tremendous tourism boom that is also unprecedented. While the country took in over $60 billion from the said foreign tourists, immense tourism is causing a wide series of challenges for the Japanese residents and the authority, and this early the Japan Tourism Agency (JTA) announced that the nation will make serious moves to tackle overtourism by the year 2030, according to a news article by Kyodo News.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of Kyodo News. Some parts in boldface…

The Japan Tourism Agency said Friday it plans to more than double the number of regions taking steps to address overtourism from the current 47 by 2030, in an effort to increase understanding among the public of the importance of inbound tourism to the nation’s economy.

A goal to boost the number of such regions to 100 will be included for the first time in the government’s next basic tourism promotion plan. A draft of the plan, which covers five years from fiscal 2026, was presented to a panel of experts and is scheduled to be approved by the Cabinet in March.

According to the draft, the government will maintain its existing targets to increase inbound visitor numbers to 60 million and their annual spending to 15 trillion yen ($97 billion) by 2030.

In 2025, foreign visitors to Japan reached an estimated record of 42.7 million, with their spending also at a new all-time high of 9.5 trillion yen, according to the government.

With a sharp decline in Chinese tourists due to deteriorating bilateral relations, the draft also stressed the importance of preparing for changes in the international situation, saying that efforts will be made to attract visitors from a wide range of countries and regions.

The agency has been implementing model projects to support regions taking steps to address overtourism issues, such as traffic congestion and nuisance behavior.

To date, 47 regions, including Kyoto in western Japan and Taketomi in Okinawa Prefecture, have been advancing initiatives based on resident feedback, including easing congestion on local roads and limiting visitor numbers.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think that the ongoing tourism in Japan will last for at least the next three years? Would you be surprised to see foreign tourist arrivals in Japan reach 45 million by the end of this year? Are you dismayed to see foreign tourists misbehave or violate local rules during their stay in Japan? Do you think China’s hostility against Japan will bring down this year’s count of foreign tourists?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Prime Minister Takaichi Gets Trump’s Endorsement, White House Visit Set For March 19

February 7, 2026February 6, 2026carlocarrasco

As millions of voters all over Japan are ready to cast their votes in tomorrow’s general election, Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae received the full endorsement of US Presdent Donald Trump and it has also been revealed that her trip to the White House has been set for March 19, according to a news report by Kyodo News.

For insight, the February 8 general election is the result of Prime Minister Takaichi’s move to dissolve the House of Representatives a few weeks ago. Recently, a Kyodo poll revealed that the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) led by the Prime Minister was on track to secure a majority in the House of Representatives.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of Kyodo News. Some parts in boldface…

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday gave his full endorsement to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi ahead of the country’s general election and said he would welcome her to the White House on March 19.

While Trump is often an outlier, it is very rare for the leader of any country to back a specific political figure ahead of a national election in a foreign country. Calling Sunday’s election “very important” for Japan’s future, he praised Takaichi for already proving to be a “strong, powerful and wise” leader.

In a social media post, Trump also said he and his team were impressed with her when they met in Japan about three months ago.

“Prime Minister Takaichi is someone who deserves powerful recognition for the job she and her Coalition are doing and, therefore, as President of the United States of America, it is my Honor to give a Complete and Total Endorsement of her, and what her highly respected Coalition is representing,” Trump wrote.

The date of Trump’s upcoming in-person talks with Takaichi was announced for the first time.

In late December, Takaichi said she was exploring a visit to the United States for another meeting with Trump, and the two leaders confirmed during their early January phone call that they would meet in the spring.

Takaichi’s maiden trip to the United States since becoming prime minister in October will coincide with Washington’s iconic annual cherry blossom festival, which this year will begin on March 20, a day after the planned White House meeting.

The festival commemorates the 1912 gift of cherry trees from Tokyo to the U.S. capital and the longtime friendship between the two countries.

When Takaichi, Japan’s first female prime minister, hosted Trump in Tokyo in late October, they expressed their intention to celebrate together in 2026 the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence. At the time, she confirmed Japan’s promise to donate 250 cherry trees to the United States.

Just as they did last time, Takaichi and Trump are likely to reaffirm the strength of the Japan-U.S. security alliance and economic relationship. In a symbolic gesture, they could also plant a couple of the cherry trees together.

Trump has extolled Takaichi since her early days in office as a protegee of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, with whom the president had a close personal relationship during his first term.

In addition to wishing her “good luck” in the House of Representatives election, Trump’s message on Thursday highlighted the progress that the United States and Japan have made in defense cooperation and on the economic front, thanks to a “very substantial” trade deal.

The deal reached last summer following Trump’s tariff threat includes a Japanese commitment to invest $550 billion in U.S. strategic sectors, such as semiconductors and critical minerals.

Trump is expected to celebrate some forthcoming projects under the package with Takaichi, who has pledged to pursue a “new golden era” for the two countries.

Takaichi’s trip to Washington will precede Trump’s planned April visit to China, which for months has been taking a hard-line stance over her remarks about a potential Taiwan Strait crisis.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think Prime Minister Takaichi and her allies will emerge victorious and secure a large majority in the Japanese House of Representatives? What do you think about President Trump’s endorsement for Takaichi? Do you think major developments will happen when Prime Minister Takaichi visits the White House and meet with Trump on March 19?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Japanese Embassy In Manila Confirms Unprecedented Surge Of Filipinos Who Applied For Visas

January 31, 2026January 30, 2026carlocarrasco

For Filipinos who want to visit Japan, a visa is often required which is something I can relate with. In recent times, there has been this lack of available slots for visa appointments and the Japanese embassy in Manila confirmed that there is an unprecedented surge of Filipino visa applicants, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of the Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…

Japan’s embassy in Manila is aware of the lack of available slots for visa appointments at its application centers and issued its response on the matter.

In a statement sent to the Manila Bulletin, the embassy cited the surge of Filipinos expressing interest in going to Japan.

Except during the surge of Covid-19 pandemic, the embassy said, Filipino visa applicants reached ”unprecedented levels.”

”The number of short-stay visas issued surged more than sixfold (6.15 times) over the decade from 2013 (73,143) to 2023 (450,087), and increased further to 490,907 in 2024,” it said.

According to the embassy, this prompted them to make significant changes in their visa processing system.

”In response to the increasing demand, the visa processing system underwent a fundamental overhaul starting April 2025 to maintain proper screening quality and streamline the process, transitioning to a Visa Application Center system,” it said.

”Furthermore, the introduction of the e-VISA began last December for visas issued to tourists in package tours organized by designated travel agencies,” it added.

The embassy acknowledged that people-to-people exchanges form the foundation of Philippines-Japan relations, and the embassy “welcomes our Filipino friends’ growing interest in visiting Japan, with the number of Filipino visitors reaching a record high of 880,000 in 2025.”

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Have you already applied for a visa to visit Japan over the past twelve months? How many people do you personally know want to visit Japan? If you intend to visit Japan soon, have you started finding out what the requirements are for application?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Japan Warns Philippines About Right-Of-Way Hurdles Related To Infrastructure Projects

January 29, 2026January 26, 2026carlocarrasco

For many years already, the Philippines has infrastructure projects in development with the support of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) which executes the official development assistance (ODA). The right-of-way challenges, however, are putting the projects at risk and Japan has alerted the government of the Philippines about it, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of the Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…

The Japanese government’s lead development agency said that right-of-way (ROW) hurdles, rather than the tightening Philippine fiscal envelope, pose the primary risk to the completion of multibillion-peso infrastructure flagship projects.

Takashi Baba, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) chief representative in the Philippines, said that while budget reductions are sovereign prerogative, the legal obligations of bilateral agreements necessitate that Manila provides sufficient funding for land acquisition

“At this moment, we do not see any kind of delay because of the delay of the budget, but the delay of the ROW, [and] the process,” JICA Philippines chief representative Takashi Baba told Manila Bulletin last Thursday, Jan. 22.

He noted, however, that delays in ROW acquisition have already had an impact on project implementation.

“We already observed the kind of delay of the progress of the project itself. That’s why we are carefully monitoring the progress,” Baba added.

The assurance comes as the Marcos administration navigates a tighter fiscal landscape. The national government reduced unprogrammed appropriations in the 2026 budget to ₱150.9 billion, the lowest level of standby funding since 2019.

The contraction in the budget’s “standby” category directly affects the accounting of projects like the Metro Manila Subway and the North-South Commuter Railway, which rely heavily on Official Development Assistance (ODA) under JICA.

Baba added that the budget cut in the Philippines should be respected, noting that it reflects a sovereign decision.

“It should be respected,” he said, adding that the move represents “the GOP [government of the Philippines] or the government or the Philippine people’s decision in general.”

However, Baba emphasized that under the legal requirements of bilateral agreements, “the necessary budget should be allocated by the Philippine government,” particularly for ROW financing.

“When we look at the current GAA [General Appropriations Act], we notice that it’s not sufficient to cover everything like necessary budget, [the] necessary amount should be prepared by the Philippine government,” he added, noting that they are closely monitoring the situation.

Baba also highlighted that executive agencies may face difficulties in securing sufficient funding by the middle of the year, raising concerns that funding shortfalls could lead to delays in project implementation.

He said JICA is closely coordinating with the Philippine government to secure additional funding in line with agreements between the two countries.

“We are closely monitoring and also we are keeping good relationship and discussion with the Philippine government to secure another budget to cover the necessary one, which in accordance with agreed between the two countries,” Baba said.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think the right-of-way issues will delay the completion of the multi-billion Peso infrastructure projects that are supported by the Japanese? What should the national government of the Philippines do to resolve right-of-way issues?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Japan Achieves New Record-Highs On Foreign Visitor Arrivals And Related Revenue In 2025

January 21, 2026January 20, 2026carlocarrasco

2025 is officially a year of tremendous tourism breakthroughs for Japan as a record 42.7 million foreign visitors were counted along with more than US$60 billion in related revenue, according to a news article by Kyodo News.

Overtourism has been going on in Japan for some time now and it does not seem to be slowing down even though there was a sharp drop of tourists from Communist China which was the result of increased tensions between China and Japan. As a lot more foreign tourists explored Japan, local businesses benefited in different ways but overcrowding, increased littering and acts of bad behavior by foreigners were reported.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of Kyodo News. Some parts in boldface…

Foreign visitors to Japan reached a record estimated 42.7 million in 2025, the government said Tuesday, with their spending also at a new all-time high of 9.5 trillion yen ($60.1 billion), thanks to a weaker yen and increased flights to Japan.

The preliminary figures also showed, however, a 45 percent drop in Chinese tourists in the month of December from a year prior to 330,000, tourism minister Yasushi Kaneko told a press conference. The fall came as an ongoing row between Japan and China appears likely to weigh on inbound travel trends in 2026.

The decline in Chinese visitors was the first fall since January 2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic, the minister of land, infrastructure, transport and tourism said, adding the government is monitoring the situation around Chinese visitors.

Overall visitors surpassed 40 million for the first time, and the estimated total was around 6 million people higher than for 2024. Kaneko said Japan will “engage in strategic Japan tourism promotion” amid a diversifying inbound market, highlighted by rising arrivals from Australia, Europe and the United States.

Relations between Tokyo and Beijing have soured since Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks in early November on a Taiwan contingency infuriated China.

The fallout has seen economic measures from China, including urging its people to refrain from visiting Japan, and some airlines reduced flights on Japan-China routes.

While the Japanese government has set a target of attracting 60 million foreign visitors a year by 2030, some popular sightseeing destinations are facing problems such as overcrowding and misbehavior by some tourists.

For added insight about tourism-related attractions, activities and trends in Japan, watch the Nippon TV videos below.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think Japan will be able to attract even more foreign tourists and be able to collect better revenues this year without China? If you plan to visit Japan this year, what is the purpose of the trip and where do you plan to visit?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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America and Japan Confirm Strong Alliance

January 17, 2026January 16, 2026carlocarrasco

As America prioritized its position in the Western Hemisphere, there is concern in Asia that a decline of American military presence in the Indo-Pacific could follow and allow Communist China to be an even bigger threat. That, however, is not the case at all as US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi confirmed that their alliance remains strong and it will be backed up with action, according to a report by Kyodo News.

For the newcomers reading this, Japan is currently dealing with the aggression of Communist China. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Japan officially set its fiscal 2026 defense budget at 9 trillion Yen. Recently, Japan signed new agreements with the Philippines related to security and logistics support between their respective military forces. Prime Minister Takaichi will soon meet US President Trump in America.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Kyodo News report. Some parts in boldface…

The defense chiefs of Japan and the United States on Thursday agreed to reinforce the deterrence and response capabilities of the bilateral alliance amid concerns in Asia that Washington’s focus is drifting from the region.

“We confirmed that the Japan-U.S. alliance remains completely unshaken and that both countries are cooperating closely,” Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi told reporters following his meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon near Washington.

Koizumi said he was reassured that the United States remains committed to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, even as President Donald Trump’s administration has designated the Western Hemisphere its top priority.

While Trump has downplayed Chinese military activities around Taiwan, his administration is seeking to strengthen its position in North and South America and the surrounding waters, as evidenced by its recent intervention in Venezuela and designs on Greenland.

In some Asian capitals, Trump’s increased focus on the Western Hemisphere has prompted concerns about a potential decline in U.S. engagement in the Indo-Pacific, creating a security vacuum in the region as China accelerates its military buildup.

“Our job and our goal here is to continue…to strengthen that in every way possible,” Hegseth said as they began talks, referring to the decades-old security alliance.

After welcoming Koizumi in an honor cordon ceremony, Hegseth hailed Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s resolve to increase Tokyo’s defense spending.

According to Koizumi, Hegseth did not call on Japan to raise its defense spending during their meeting, which lasted about 50 minutes.

Koizumi said he told Hegseth that Japan will do its utmost to beef up its defense capabilities and the alliance.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think the United States has something planned to enhance its alliance with Japan which could create a bigger challenge towards China in the Indo-Pacific region? What do you think will be announced once Trump and Takaichi meet in America?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Japan And Italy Agree On Strategic Cooperation

January 17, 2026January 16, 2026carlocarrasco

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and they agreed to cooperate with each other on enhancing economic security, according to a report by Kyodo News. Meloni is on her first official visit to Japan since taking office in 2022.

For the newcomers reading this, Japan is currently dealing with the aggression of Communist China not only diplomatically but also economically. Prime Minister Takaichi will soon meet US President Donald Trump in America.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of Kyodo News. Some parts in boldface…

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and her Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni agreed Friday to cooperate in strengthening economic security including supply chains of critical minerals as they aligned their nations more closely in the face of China’s growing clout.

The two countries upgraded their “strategic partnership” to a “special strategic partnership” to boost ties in “all sectors” including security and culture, Takaichi and Meloni said in a joint statement released after their meeting in Tokyo.

The leaders “shared grave concern for all forms of economic coercion and for use of nonmarket policies and practices and use of export restrictions which disrupt global supply chains for key goods and components,” they said, in an apparent reference to China.

Japan and Italy will also establish a consultative body to promote cooperation in space technology and will advance collaboration in areas such as artificial-intelligence robotics and semiconductors, the statement said.

“As the international community faces a complex crisis and the strategic environment surrounding the Indo-Pacific region has become severe, close collaboration between like-minded countries has become more important than ever,” Takaichi told a joint press appearance with Meloni after the talks.

Japan and Italy, both Group of Seven members, will also work together on securing liquefied natural gas in case of emergencies, among other infrastructure and energy issues, Takaichi said.

Meloni said that the alliance between Japan and Italy has “high potential” and that she discussed with Takaichi diversifying critical mineral providers and reinforcing the resilience of their supply chains.

Japan and Italy share concerns over China, a dominant producer of rare earths essential for cutting-edge products whose trade practices are often criticized as coercive.

Beijing imposed stricter controls on exports to Japan of dual-use items last week, escalating a bilateral spat sparked by Takaichi’s remarks in November suggesting an attack on Taiwan could trigger a response by her nation’s defense forces. The targeted goods may include rare earths.

Japan and Italy are heavily dependent on imports from China for their rare earth supplies.

Finance ministers from the G7 nations and some other countries agreed Monday to accelerate the reduction of their overreliance on China for critical minerals during their gathering in Washington.

Tokyo and Rome have also been ramping up defense collaboration against the background of China’s growing military reach in the Indo-Pacific region and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, taking the view that security in the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic is inseparable.

The two countries have a joint trilateral project with Britain to develop a next-generation fighter jet they aim to deploy by 2035.

For added insight, watch the Nippon TV videos below.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think big developments will happen once Japan and Italy start a new series of cooperation tackling economics and military matters? Do you think Italy and Japan will be able to find alternative sources of rare earth supplies and heavily cut their dependence on China? Do you think China will react angrily at Japan and Italy?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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I Love Israel: Israel And Japan Ties Emphasized As Top Officials Meet

January 13, 2026January 12, 2026carlocarrasco

Israel and Japan formally engaged with each other diplomatically as Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and their Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar separately in Jerusalem, according to reports by The Jerusalem Post and NHK World.

The meetings are significant not just because it marks the first time a delegation representing Japan under the administration of new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi arrived in Israel for diplomacy and cooperation, but also because Japan supports the American-led Gaza peace plan of US President Donald J. Trump (click here and here) and will be proactive in recovery and reconstruction efforts in the Gaza Strip. The Japanese, however, expressed disagreement over Israel’s West Bank (biblical Judea and Samaria) settlement activities and insisted on a two-state solution. On the bright side, Japan will still NOT recognize a Palestinian state.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from news report of The Jerusalem Post. Some parts in boldface.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi in Jerusalem on Sunday to discuss continued cooperation between Israel and Japan, the Prime Minister’s Office stated.

Netanyahu congratulated Motegi and the delegation members on their visit to Israel and thanked them for their support, the PMO noted. During the meeting, Netanyahu and Motegi also discussed different ways to address regional challenges.

Earlier, Motegi met with Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar at the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem.

This is Motegi’s first bilateral diplomatic visit since taking office.

Motegi is also expected to meet with President Isaac Herzog on Monday morning during his visit to Israel, the PMO added.

Japan won’t recognize a Palestinian state given US ties – Israel and Japan align on some regional issues critical to the Jewish State.

The Asahi newspaper, citing unidentified government sources, reported in September 2025 that Japan will not recognize a Palestinian state for now, probably to maintain relations with the United States and to avoid a hardening of Israel’s attitude.

With regards to the meeting with Israel’s Foreign Minister, posted below is an excerpt from NHK World. Some parts in boldface…

Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu has visited Israel and held talks with his Israeli counterpart, Gideon Sa’ar. Motegi called for the steady implementation of a US-led peace plan for the Gaza Strip, while pledging a proactive role by Japan in the strip’s reconstruction.

At the opening of their meeting in Jerusalem on Sunday, Motegi said that to improve the situations surrounding Israel and the Palestinians it is important to steadily implement the peace plan.

He also said both sides should take concrete action toward the elimination of mutual distrust that has persisted over many years in order to ease regional tension and bring peace to the area.

Motegi also urged Israel to take appropriate responses to protect civilians and ensure humanitarian assistance in Gaza offered by international organizations, NGOs and others. He added that Japan will play a proactive role in engaging in the early recovery and reconstruction of Gaza.

Motegi told Sa’ar that Israel’s settlement activities in the West Bank are in violation of international law, and that Japan is concerned that the increase in settler violence may further destabilize the situation in the region.

Motegi urged Israel to immediately cease what he described as any unilateral actions that run counter to a two-state solution.

Motegi later met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the first face-to-face meeting with him by a Japanese senior government figure since then-Prime Minister Abe Shinzo in 2018.

There are indeed imperfections as revealed by the two news reports regarding the latest Israel-Japan meetings. In my opinion, Japan has yet to realize that the two-state solution is both pointless and worthless. They have yet to realize the truth that the Palestinians have a tradition of violence against the Jewish people, and they often followed terrorist leaders (fact: Palestinians expressed support for Hamas terrorists with regards to the October 7 attacks against Israel in 2023). Japan should realize that the West Bank is not rightfully owned by the global community and international law covering the said region is just an illusion. As such, we who support Israel should pray to the Lord that the Japan’s diplomats will get enlightened as they cooperate more with Israel in the years to come.

Praise and thank the Lord for the high-level meetings between the governments of Israel and Japan. Pray to Him to bless Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi and the people of Japan. Pray also for the potential future visit of Prime Minister Takaichi to Israel.

To all my readers, I encourage you to accept the truth that Israel is the land God designated specifically for the Jewish people (read Genesis 35:10-12) and His command must be followed without hesitation. If you want to be blessed further by the Lord, do so by loving and blessing the Jewish people (Genesis 12:1-3). I did my part when I was in Israel. Also, let me remind you all that the ties between the Jews and Christians are truly biblical!

I encourage you all to pray to the Lord God in support of Israel, to love and bless the Jewish people, and pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

If you truly believe in Lord Jesus, the Holy Spirit and God the Heavenly Father wholeheartedly and you continue to be faithful, you should be aware that Christians are meant to stand united with Israel and love the Jewish people no matter what. You can do your part supporting Israel by donating to Christians United for Israel (CUFI). Do not forget to read the Holy Bible, then pray in tongues to the Lord in the privacy of your room with the door shut.

Always be the fearless and aggressive church of Lord Jesus!

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Influential Japanese Business Lobby Calls For Greater Government Role In Issues Related With Foreigners

January 6, 2026January 1, 2026carlocarrasco

As Japan struggles with economic challenges, an aging population, immigration and filling up the gaps of its workforce, an influential business lobby called for a stronger role by the government on issues related to foreign residents, according to a Kyodo News article. It should be noted that new rules regarding foreigners will be announced this month.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news release of Kyodo News. Some parts in boldface…

Japan’s most influential business lobby has urged the government to show stronger leadership on issues concerning foreign residents and enact a “basic law” on policies related to non-Japanese as they become a growing part of the labor force and society.

The Japan Business Federation called for the establishment of a permanent headquarters led by the prime minister that will compile policies related to foreigners across agencies and ministries, saying a ministerial meeting launched by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in November was positive but insufficient.

The federation, also known as Keidanren, pointed out in a set of proposals released in mid-December that issues remain under the current framework regarding the effectiveness of medium- to long-term policymaking.

“A framework in which strong political leadership can be exerted is needed,” the group said.

It highlighted the need for a new ministerial post dedicated to foreigner-related policies with the authority to recommend that other agencies and ministries carry out investigations or formulate new rules.

The federation stressed that Japan is at a “turning point,” with steps to promote the smooth integration of foreign workers and their families into society essential, particularly with regard to education and social services.

With Japan’s population shrinking, the number of foreign residents will likely continue to rise beyond 2030, the group said.

It also noted “public anxiety and a sense of unfairness” in Japan, prompted by media reports that some foreigners were engaging in illegal activities and not complying with rules.

The House of (Councilors) election in July saw increased support for a populist party that campaigned on a “Japanese First” platform.

Takaichi, known for her conservative views, set up the ministerial meeting to demonstrate a stricter approach to foreigner-related issues, saying the government is seeking to “build a safe, secure, orderly, and inclusive society for the (Japanese) people and foreigners living in our country.“

As in a previous set of proposals released in 2022, the federation called for a shift in mindset from “passive acceptance of foreigners” to “strategic acquisition of foreign talent.”

It suggested placing more focus on the quality as well as quantity of foreigners accepted, including clearly defining what kind of human resources the country is hoping to attract from overseas.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think the central government of Japan will be able to come out with new rules on foreigners that will make sense socially and economically?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi To Meet With Trump In America

January 4, 2026January 3, 2026carlocarrasco

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will meet again with US President Donald Trump specifically in the United States in the spring, according to a Kyodo News article. The upcoming meeting will also by Takaichi’s first official visit to America as Prime Minister.

For the newcomers reading this, the Prime Minister first met with Trump in Japan last October. The said meeting happened not so long after Takaichi was elected to her position. For the upcoming meeting in the United States, the stakes are high for Prime Minister Takaichi as her nation has been dealing with tension from Communist China.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of Kyodo News. Some parts in boldface…

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Friday that she and U.S. President Donald Trump have agreed to work toward meeting in the United States in the spring, with the aim of further strengthening the alliance between the two countries.

Takaichi’s plan to make her first visit to the United States since taking office in October, confirmed during their phone call, comes at a time of strained relations between Japan and China, and ahead of Trump’s possible trip to Beijing in April to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

“At the start of the new year, I consider it extremely significant that I was able to exchange words directly with President Trump and confirm the strong partnership of the Japan-U.S. alliance,” Takaichi told reporters following the call.

Takaichi said she and Trump agreed to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific as well as cooperation among like-minded countries, including in the three-way partnership also involving South Korea.

She said their discussion was mainly about the region, without elaborating as to whether it had anything to do with China specifically.

According to Japan’s Foreign Ministry, the conversation lasted about 25 minutes, during which Trump, who met with Takaichi in October in Tokyo, invited her to visit the United States.

In late December, Takaichi said she was exploring a visit to the United States for another meeting with Trump early in the upcoming year, with Japanese officials proposing late March for her trip to Washington.

Late on Friday night, Takaichi said she had conveyed her congratulations to Trump on the United States marking in 2026 the 250th anniversary of its independence.

She said they agreed this year should also be one that opens a “new chapter in the history of the Japan-U.S. alliance” and that they will further deepen the wide-ranging cooperation and friendly relations between the two countries.

If all goes smoothly, Takaichi’s upcoming trip will coincide with the U.S. capital’s well-known annual cherry blossom festival.

The festival commemorates the 1912 gift of cherry trees from Tokyo to Washington and the longtime friendship between Japan and the United States.

When Takaichi hosted Trump in Japan in late October, the two leaders affirmed their intention to jointly celebrate the 250th anniversary, and she confirmed Japan’s promise to give 250 cherry trees to the United States.

Takaichi and Trump last spoke by phone on Nov. 25, with the conversation taking place after his call with Xi and amid escalating tensions between Tokyo and Beijing over Taiwan.

China has been taking a hard-line stance against Japan since Takaichi suggested earlier that month that an attack on Taiwan could constitute an existential threat to Japan and warrant a response from its forces.

Trump, who also met with Xi in late October during his trip to Asia, has not made his position public on the ongoing tensions between Japan and China, which views Taiwan as its own territory and has not ruled out the use of force to bring the self-ruled island under its control.

Trump has repeatedly said he has good relationships with both Takaichi and Xi.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? What kind of developments do you think will manifest after the next meeting of Trump and Takaichi? Do you think the Trump administration will be able to maintain healthy ties with China and Japan even as the tension between the two Asian nations goes on? Do you think there will be more joint military exercises between Japan and America this year?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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